Just Playing
When I'm building in the block room,
Please don't say I'm "Just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play,
About balance, I may be an architect someday.
When I'm getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don't get the idea I'm "Just Playing."
I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don't let me hear you say, "He is Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I just might be a teacher someday.
When you see me engrossed in a puzzle
Or some "playing" at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play."
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.
When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "Just Play."
I'm learning to follow directions and see the differences.
I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run, and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse, or athlete someday.
When you ask me what I've done at school today,
And I say, "I just played."
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I am a child and my work is play.  

                                                                                          By: Anita Wadley Schlaht

Dear Parents,

 Welcome to the first issue of the Unity High School Nursery and Pre-school’s blog. Each week we will inform you of the topics we will be covering in Preschool and give you suggestions of songs, rhymes or poems you can do at home to reinforce our topics.  Also there will be upcoming events, term dates and other important information detailed on the blog.

Right let’s make a start! 

 Our current topic is “All about Me!” In Weeks One and Two we will be looking at the children themselves, encouraging them to paint portraits, make paper kid shapes, and other activities focused on themselves. Nursery children will learn about body parts, face parts and talk about their home and families, Preschool children with learn about internal organs such as the stomach, brain and lungs. All activities will be displayed throughout the Nursery and Preschool.  

During this week we will also be continuing the settling in program where the children are shown the routines of nursery and preschool, including in particular learning how to take responsibility for themselves and the environment. The children will label their own work, trace their name cards, tidy away the materials, put away their dress ups as well as learn our hygiene routines.  This does take a while and will get full support from the staff throughout.

Sincerely,

 Shymaa khraisat

Head of nursery and preschool 

Letters:

Each sound has an action which helps children remember the letter that represents it. As your child progresses you can point to the letters and see how quickly s/he can do the action and say the sound.  Children should learn each letter by its sound rather than by its name, as this will help in blending. The names of each letter can follow later.

The letters have not been introduced in alphabetical order. The first group (s,a,t,i,p,n) has been chosen because they make more simple three-letter words than any other six letters. The letters b and d are introduced in different groups to avoid confusion.

Letter “S” Song

S

The snake is in the grass

The snake is in the grass

Sss sss

The snake is in the grass

Numeracy:

Think about all the ways that numbers and counting are part of your child’s life! From soapy toes in the bathtub to “get ready- set- go!” in the Yard,

Stories:

Every Saturday we will be sending home a story that your child chose from the shelf to read through the week. Does it feel like you've read the same story 100 times? Read it a new way: Ask your child questions about what might happen next and encourage her/him to tell you what can be seen in the illustrations. You will receive books talking about a body part or one of the five senses during the coming month to support the classroom learning.

This is a very important stage as it helps your child get ready for school as well as preparing them for their future learning and successes. From when your child is born up until the age of 5, their early years experience should be happy, active, exciting, fun and secure; our Nursery supports their development, care and learning needs.